Rulani Mokwena’s tenure as head coach of Wydad Athletic Club will officially come to an end at the conclusion of the current campaign, following a mutual agreement between the coach and the club. The news was confirmed by Mokwena’s agent, Steve Kapeluschnick, in an exclusive interview with the Hollywoodbets Sports Blog on Wednesday.
“I’ve flown to Morocco to meet with the club and president Hicham Ait Menna regarding the future of Rulani and his technical team,” Kapeluschnick revealed. “It was agreed that, regardless of the outcomes in the remaining matches, Rulani will continue to lead the team until the end of the season. Thereafter, the two parties will part ways respectfully.”
Mokwena, who signed with the Moroccan giants in July 2024 following a sudden departure from Mamelodi Sundowns, was initially contracted through June 2027. His appointment came in the wake of a disappointing 2023/24 season in which Wydad finished sixth in the Botola Pro 1 and missed out on continental competition.
The 38-year-old tactician oversaw a significant squad overhaul during his time at the club, bringing in more than 20 players as part of a bold rebuild. Despite flashes of promise, Wydad have struggled to meet the lofty expectations of their management. They currently sit third on the league table with 43 points from 25 matches—11 wins, 10 draws, and 4 defeats.
The president has always believed in Rulani, and that respect is mutual,” said Kapeluschnick. “They’ve both come to the conclusion that a clean break at season’s end is the right move.”
Kapeluschnick praised Mokwena and his technical team for their unwavering dedication under immense pressure.
“They’ve worked tirelessly to build a competitive squad from scratch—close to 29 signings were made in total. Despite enormous pressure to win immediately, they’ve managed to keep the team in the top three.”
He went on to highlight Mokwena’s personal sacrifices, noting the coach’s deep commitment to the club.
“He arrived in Morocco on June 11 and has returned home just once—to attend his grandmother’s funeral,” he said. “Even then, he was on conference calls, helping prepare for the next match. That level of commitment is extraordinary.”
Kapeluschnick concluded by emphasizing the emotional connection Mokwena has developed with the squad.
“Rulani truly loves the players. He’s poured everything into this team—24/7 effort from day one—and wants nothing more than to finish the season on a high.”
Mokwena is now preparing his side for one of the biggest fixtures on the Moroccan football calendar: the Casablanca Derby against arch-rivals Raja on Saturday, April 12. From the outset, Mokwena had made it clear that his mission was to return Wydad to the pinnacle of African football, with a particular focus on regaining prominence in the CAF Champions League.
His departure will mark the end of a passionate, intense chapter at one of Africa’s most storied clubs.
